Photographic processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A photographic processor formed by an outer chamber with an inner chamber supported therein having walls which are spaced from the walls of the outer chamber. A cap seals both the inner and outer chambers and contains an opening through which liquid may be introduced into the inner chamber when the processor is upright. Openings are provided in the inner chamber adjacent the cap so that processing liquid may flow therethrough into the outer chamber when the processor is held horizontally and a liquid may subsequently flow therethrough and out through the opening in the cap when the processor is inverted.

United States Patent 790,532 5/1905 Shaw 95/905 1,807,901 6/1931 Drew95/905 2,530,734 ll/1950 Salzman 95/905 FOREIGN PATENTS 807,882 10/1936France 95/905 23,538 7/1910 GreatBritain Primary ExaminerSamuel S.Matthews Assistant Examiner-Fred L. Braun Attorney-Darby and DarbyABSTRACT: A photographic processor formed by an outer chamber with aninner chamber supported therein having walls which are spaced from thewalls of the outer chamber. A cap seals both the inner and outerchambers and contains an opening through which liquid may be introducedinto the inner chamber when the processor is upright. Openings areprovided in the inner chamber adjacent the cap so that processing liquidmay flow therethrough into the outer chamber when the processor is heldhorizontally and a liquid may subsequently flow therethrough and outthrough the opening in the cap when the processor is inverted.

(72] Inventor John Geoffrey Long Surbiton, England 1211 Appl. No.437,952 122 Filed Mar. 8, 1965 [4S] Patented July 27, 1971 [73] AssigneeThe Pavelle Corporation New York, N.\'. [32] Priority Apr. 28, 1964 [33]Great Britain [31 17605/64 [54] PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSING APPARATUS 16Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 95/905, 95/96 [51] lnt.Cl 603d 1/14 [50] Field of Search..95/90.5, 93, 96, 97

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 778,906 1/1905 Shaw 95/905PATENTEU JUL 2 7 :92]

FIG. 1. 9 5

- j l k 8 p i 1 I l INVENTOR JOHN GEOFFREY LONG ATTORNEY J 1 processingapparatus providing, a

.will in turn come into contact will all discharge means"disposed. fordischarge of liquid from the 1- j'aorooimrrrrc PRocEssrso APPARATUS Thisinvention relatesto photographic processing apparatus.

Many types of photographic films and .papers, especial|y those used forcolor photography, require accurately controlled treatment in processingto achieve consistent results.

One of the difficulties is that some processing solutions have limitedkeeping According tothe invention there is provided a photographiclighttight processing chamber within which photographic sheet materialto be processed may beintroduced-withthe sheet material lying close tothe sidewall of the chamber, an aperture provided at the top' of theapparatus forthe introduction of processing v which the lid is fitted.

liquid into the chamber, a cup disposed within the'apparatus so thatwhen the apparatus is upright liquid introduced through the aperturewill enter the cup, said cup and aperture being so arranged and disposedthat asthe apparatus is tilted from the vertical to the horizontalposition liquid in the cup will be discharged into the processingchamber and not out of the aperture whereby upon rotation of theapparatus the liquid the sheetmaterial, and

processing chamber'and apparatus upon said apparatus being turnedupside'down. g l

I With theapparatus according to the invention a measured quantity'ofprocessing liquid can first be introducedi'nto the cup and then quicklyand evenly be brought into contact with the material to results.Moreover it will be appreciated that considerably less liquid isrequired than with conventional apparatus which must be filled to avertical level sufficient to cover the photographic sheet material to beprocessed and consequently fresh liquid can economically be used foreach batch of material to beprocessed. g

Preferably the aperture for introducing liquid also serves asthe'discharge irrreans so that there is only one aperture.

. Preferably the apparatus consists of a container and a removable lidfor allowing sheet material to be introduced into the container, thesaid one aperture being provided in the lid.

The cup and lidmay-be separate members, and the cup may be fitted intothe apparatus before the lid is fitted, but the cup and lid arepreferably interconnected so that the cup is detached from the apparatuswhen the lid is detached.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a lidfora photographic processing apparatus, said lid being adapted to befitted toan open topped container to form be processed was to achieveconsistent therewith alighttight processing chamber within whichphotographic sheet material to be processed may be introduced with thesheet material lying close to the sidewall of the chamber, said lidhaving a cup connected to the under sideof the lid with the top of thecup nearest the under side of the lid, an aperture being provided in thelid through which liquid may be poured into the cup, said cup andaperture being so arranged 'and disposed that when the lid is fitted toan open-topped container and the apparatus is tilted from the verticalto a horizontal position liquid in the cup will be discharged'into theprocessing chamber and not out of the aperture, and discharge means fordischarge of liquid from the apparatus upon said apparatus being turnedupside down.

The cup is preferably connected to the lid by a plurality of spacersdisposed between the underside ofthe lid and the upper cndof the cup. Tofacilitate, pouring the liquid through the lid the aperture may befunnel-shaped at its outer end. To

facilitate'both pouriml in and pourin out. the rm mnu i... we

2 a vided with an airvent for venting the interior of a container to anarrow tube extending through thelid into the cup.

The lid may be adapted to make engagement-with the container in anyconvenient way; for instance, it may be apush fit but preferably itscrews on.

In order that the invention may be. well understood a preferredembodiment will now be described in detail wit reference to theaccompanying drawing in which: 7

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a processing apparatus,

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the 'lid for-the apparatus.

A photographic processing apparatus consists of a relatively longcylindrical tubular container 1 open at one end. A circular lid 2 screwsonto the open end of the container 1. For ease of manufacture the lid isformed-in two parts 3, 4'which are screwed together. The part 4 of thecircular lid is thicker than the annular part 3 and projects outwardlyfromthe lid 2. An aperture 5 passes centrally thr'oughthe part .4 of thelid 2, and

opens into afunnel-shaped po'rtion6 on the outer side of the terior ofthe processing chamber of the apparatus. An air tube passes through thepart 4 and projects a I 9 forming an air vent 7 little wayabove the topof the lid 2 and a little way into the cup 7 I To use the processingapparatus, sheets of material to be processed are rolled into a tubeand, inserted into the processing chamber formed by the'container l. Thelid 2 is then screwed onto the open end of the container 1. Theapparatus is maintained vertical with the lid 2 uppermost and a measuredquantity of processing liquid is poured through the funnel 6 andaperture 5 partly to fill the cup 7. The apparatus is then'tilted untilit is horizontal and the processing liquid then pours out of the cup 7and into the container 1. The apparatus is then rotated until theprocess is complete. The apparatus is then turned upside down and theliquid pours out of the aperture 5. After discharging the processingliquid, the apparatus can be filled with .water for washing,.or with thenext processing liquid as required by the process in question.

The apparatus which would have required 1,000cc. of liquid to fill it inthe conventional way requires only 25 cc. The method of using theapparatus ensures that the material to be processed is evenly treated.

lclaim: o

l. A method of processing an exposed photographic sheet of the typerequiring treatment with a plurality of liquids com- 7 prising:

a.-placing said sheet in a lighttight generally circular cylindricalcontainer substantially against the inner wall thereof;

b. positioning said container generally vertically;

c. introducing aquantity of a first treating liquid into the top of saidcontainer and maintaining said liquid adjacent the axis of saidcontainer and separate from said sheet; 1

d. changing the orientation of said container to a generally horiIontalposition to cause said first liquid to contact said sheet; and v e.rotating said container-substantially about a horizontal axis todistribute said liquid-over said sheet.

2. A photographic processing apparatus comprising outer container meanshaving a top endand a bottom end, said mounted within said outercontainer means in spaced relationhe air-vent is preferably'in the formof vided in*the top end of said outer container means and communicatingwith the interior of said inner container means for the introduction ofprocessing liquid thereto when said processing apparatus is in anupright position, said aperture being positioned in said top end so asto fall within the confines of said inner container means, and fluidpassage means formed at the top of said inner container means adjacentthe top end of said outer container means and communicating with saidprocessing chamber, said fluid. passage means operating to permitprocessing fluid to flow into said processing chamber when saidapparatus is tilted from an upright to a horizontal position and topermit fluid to flow from said processing chamber through said aperturewhen said apparatus is inverted. i

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which theclosure means consistsof aremovable lid. forming part of said outer container means, saidaperturebeing provided in such lid.

4. A photographic processing apparatus as'claimedin claim '3 in whichthe inner container means and lid are interconnected. v

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 in which the inner container meansis formed by a cup connected to the lid by a pluralityof spacersdisposed between the underside of the lid and the upper end of the cup.

' 6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which said lid. is

provided with an air vent for venting the interior of the processingapparatus, said air vent being in the form of a narrow tube extendinginto the cup.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the aperture is funnelshaped at its outer end. 8. In a photographic processing apparatuscomprising a substantially cylindrical housing for receivingphotographic material to be processed, which housing is adaptedfor-movesaid housing and said received material while said housing isdisposed generally vertically, and for discharging such liquids intocontact with the cylindrical interior surface of said housing and saidreceived material when said housing is disposed generally horizontally.9. Photographic processing apparatus as in claim 8, wherein saidreservoir means is a liquid container supported substantially coaxiallywithin said housing below said opening when said housing is ina verticalorientation.

10. Photographic processing apparatus as in claim 9, wherein saidcontainer has at least a portion spaced from said opening and adapted todischarge such liquids upon tipping of said housing from said verticalorientation.

11. A photographic processing apparatus comprising 7 an outer containerhaving a top end and a bottom end, said outer container being openableat one end to receive sheet material to be processed, an inner containermounted within said outer container in spaced relationship thereto toprovide a processing chamber externally of said inner container andwithin said outer container, said inner container being operativetocontain fluid introduced therein, the top end of said outer containerbeing provided with an aperture communicating with the interior of saidinner container for permitting the introduction of processing liquidinto said inner container through said aperture when said processingapparatus is in an upright position, and fluid passage means betweensaid inner container and said processing chamber for permittingprocessing fluid contained in saidinner chamber to flow into saidprocessing chamber when said'apparatus is tilted from an upright to ahorizontal osition.

l Apparatus as in c arm 11, wherein said inner container 15 positioneddirectly beneath the aperture of the top end of said outer container. v

13. in a photographicprocessing apparatus comprising a substantiallycylindrical container for receiving photographic material to beprocessed,said container having a top end and a bottom end when in avertical orientation, said container being adapted for'movement-betweensubstantially vertical and horizontal orientations, and having anopening in said top end for the admission of processing liquids intosaid container, the improvement which comprises reservoir means mountedwithin the container directly beneath and in fluidcommunication with'said opening for receiving liquids admitted through said opening andretaining said received liquids out of contact with the interior surfaceof said container and said received material while said container ismaintained generally vertically, said reservoir means having means fordischarging such liquids into contact with the cylindrical interiorsurface of said container and said received material when'said containeris moved from a substantially vertical to a substantially horizontalorientation.

14. Apparatus as in claim 13, wherein said reservoir means isconcentrically mounted in said container.

15. Apparatus as in claim 14, wherein said reservoir means is supportedby reservoir support means connected to said container top end.

16. Apparatus as in claim 15, wherein said discharging means comprisesat least one opening in said reservoir support means.

1. A method of processing an exposed photographic sheet of the typerequiring treatment with a plurality of liquids comprising: a. placingsaid sheet in a lighttight generally circular cylindrical containersubstantially against the inner wall thereof; b. positioning saidcontainer generally vertically; c. introducing a quantity of a firsttreating liquid into the top of said container and maintaining saidliquid adjacent the axis of said container and separate from said sheet;d. changing the orientation of said container to a generally horizontalposition to cause said first liquid to contact said sheet; and e.rotating said container substantially about a horizontal axis todistribute said liquid over said sheet.
 2. A photographic processingapparatus comprising outer container means having a top end and a bottomend, said outer container means having an opening at one such end toreceive material to be processed, and also having closure means forclosing the said opening inner container means mounted within said outercontainer means in spaced relationship thereto to form a processingchamber externally of said inner container means, said inner containermeans being operative to contain fluid introduced therein, an apertureprovided in the top end of said outer container means and communicatingwith the interior of said inner container means for the introduction ofprocessing liquid thereto when said processing apparatus is in anupright position, said aperture being positioned in said top end so asto fall within the confines of said inner container means, and fluidpassage means formed at the top of said inner container means adjacentthe top end of said outer container means and communicating with saidprocessing chamber, said fluid passage means operating to permitprocessing fluid to flow into said processing chamber when saidapparatus is tilted from an upright to a horizontal position and topermit fluid to flow from said processing chamber through said aperturewhen said apparatus is inverted.
 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2in which the closure means consists of a removable lid forming part ofsaid outer container means, said aperture being provided in such lid. 4.A photographic processing apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which theinner container means and lid are interconnected.
 5. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 4 in which the inner container means is formed by a cupconnected to the lid by a plurality of spacers disposed between theunderside of the lid and the upper end of the cup.
 6. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 5 in which said lid is provided with an air vent forventing the interior of the processing apparatus, said air vent being inthe form of a narrow tube extending into the cup.
 7. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 6 in which the aperture is funnel shaped at its outerend.
 8. In a photographic processing apparatus comprising asubstantially cylindrical housing for receiving photographic material tobe processed, which housing is adapted for movement betweensubstantially vertical and horizontal orientations, and has at least oneopening at one end for the admission of processing liquids into saidhousing, the improvement which comprises: reservoir means mounted withinsaid housing below said opening when said housing is in a verticalposition and in communication with said opening for receiving suchliquids admitted through said opening and storing the received liquidsout of contact with the interior surface of said housing and saidreceived material while said housing is disposed generally vertically,and for discharging such liquids into contact with the cylindricalinterior surface of said housing and said received material when saidhousing is disposed generally horizontally.
 9. Photographic processingapparatus as in claim 8, wherein said reservoir means is a liquidcontAiner supported substantially coaxially within said housing belowsaid opening when said housing is in a vertical orientation. 10.Photographic processing apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said containerhas at least a portion spaced from said opening and adapted to dischargesuch liquids upon tipping of said housing from said verticalorientation.
 11. A photographic processing apparatus comprising an outercontainer having a top end and a bottom end, said outer container beingopenable at one end to receive sheet material to be processed, an innercontainer mounted within said outer container in spaced relationshipthereto to provide a processing chamber externally of said innercontainer and within said outer container, said inner container beingoperative to contain fluid introduced therein, the top end of said outercontainer being provided with an aperture communicating with theinterior of said inner container for permitting the introduction ofprocessing liquid into said inner container through said aperture whensaid processing apparatus is in an upright position, and fluid passagemeans between said inner container and said processing chamber forpermitting processing fluid contained in said inner chamber to flow intosaid processing chamber when said apparatus is tilted from an upright toa horizontal position.
 12. Apparatus as in claim 11, wherein said innercontainer is positioned directly beneath the aperture of the top end ofsaid outer container.
 13. In a photographic processing apparatuscomprising a substantially cylindrical container for receivingphotographic material to be processed, said container having a top endand a bottom end when in a vertical orientation, said container beingadapted for movement between substantially vertical and horizontalorientations, and having an opening in said top end for the admission ofprocessing liquids into said container, the improvement which comprisesreservoir means mounted within the container directly beneath and influid communication with said opening for receiving liquids admittedthrough said opening and retaining said received liquids out of contactwith the interior surface of said container and said received materialwhile said container is maintained generally vertically, said reservoirmeans having means for discharging such liquids into contact with thecylindrical interior surface of said container and said receivedmaterial when said container is moved from a substantially vertical to asubstantially horizontal orientation.
 14. Apparatus as in claim 13,wherein said reservoir means is concentrically mounted in saidcontainer.
 15. Apparatus as in claim 14, wherein said reservoir means issupported by reservoir support means connected to said container topend.
 16. Apparatus as in claim 15, wherein said discharging meanscomprises at least one opening in said reservoir support means.